Rachel Vickers
Five years have passed since I was sentenced in front of a judge. While my journey in, out, and through the criminal justice system is my own, the aftermath is a story all too familiar to Coloradans with past records. Although it has been many years since my last sentence, my record still makes it seem as if my conviction happened yesterday. On paper, “justice was served.” The reality is that hundreds of thousands of Coloradans with past convictions continue to face severe barriers to economic freedom, independence, and the ability to support themselves and their families. This is a life sentence for poverty and unfortunately can lead to instability, poor mental health, homelessness and further crime. Colorado lawmakers have the power to break this cycle.
In 2022, a bipartisan coalition of businesses, healthcare providers, people with experience in the justice system, and advocates from a variety of organizations came together to break this cycle by passing the Colorado Clean Slate Law (SB22-099). Ta. The Colorado Blank Slate Law passed with near-unanimous support and is scheduled to go into effect in July of this year. Congress now has an opportunity to invest in talent with a proven track record and support HB24-1133. HB24-1133 is a bipartisan bill to ensure that SB22-099 has the most successful clean slate implementation in the nation.
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The Clean Slate Repeal Act automated the record sealing process, making record sealing relief available to more people. This means hundreds of thousands of Coloradans will have their past non-violent qualifying records automatically sealed. Too many people are denied the freedom to work, find a safe place to call home, and pay for themselves. Removing these barriers will help grow our talented workforce and make our communities safer.
It is estimated that one in three Coloradans of working age has a record. If you think she’s 1 out of 3 high, getting a record is easier than you think. When someone is arrested or appears in court, there is a record on their background. Even in arrests that have not led to indictments, cases that have not resulted in convictions, and cases in which people were convicted decades ago. Research has proven that the longer someone goes without being convicted of another crime, the more likely they are to reoffend than others. Passing HB24-1133 will help give these people a real second chance.
Now, as Ananeo’s Recovery Coach and Management Coordinator, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to use my lived experience to help others through the re-entry process. However, my story is an exception. Having experienced many of the barriers to meaningful re-entry myself, I know what resources are available to support people and what barriers continue to hold people back. .
Helping people secure meaningful, financially stable employment is one of the most challenging parts of my job. The reality is that many people with prior careers will never be able to find meaningful employment under Colorado’s current practices. A past history, no matter how old or underage, means you won’t be able to pass a background check, making it difficult to obtain a professional license from the state and preventing people from pursuing higher education. You will no longer be able to seek out opportunities. I’m not saying people don’t make mistakes, because we do make mistakes. But the way Colorado retains talented, dedicated and valuable people is also a mistake, a mistake that HB24-1133 will help correct.
August is Second Chance Month. For me, a second chance means a chance to support myself and my family and build a better future. This Second Chance Month, I hope the Colorado Legislature invests in the Colorado Blank Bill and supports HB24-1133. Hundreds of thousands of Coloradans deserve unlimited access to health and well-being.
Rachel Vickers is a graduate of the Clean Slate Leadership Academy.Management Coordinator and Recovery Coach at Ananeo.
